Description of the Scuba-Diving Area
This area off Santa Lucía Beach, which has one of the most important and picturesque coral reefs in the world, is particularly attractive for experienced scuba divers. In the channel leading into the Bay of Nuevitas, you can see a spectacular show with Bull Sharks (Carcharhinus leucas)— the only one of its kind in the world, which attracts many divers. You can make deep dives at walls with caves where schools of small fish such as Shad (Ethmidium maculatum), Sardines and Anchovies (Engraulis cubanus) live. There are many Southern Stingrays (Dasyatis americana) near the seabed, which has many sandy áreas and ridges that mark the edge of the insular shelf, and you can also explore two sunken ships: the Nuevo Moriera and Nuestra Señora Virgen de Altagracia, which went down at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.

Vessels Description: one 41-foot ship and two 13-foot launches Capacity per day: 50 pax Number of departures per day: 2

Sharks Friends is located in Camaguey

Camagüey is the birthplace of some of the most relevant personalities of Cuban Culture: Nicolás Guillén, Cuba's Laureate Poet; writer and poetess Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda; Ballet of Camagüey, the second company of Cuba, and the Folkloric Dance Group; famous painters Fidelio Ponce de León and Flora Fong are only some of the examples worth mentioning. Popular festivities like the San Juan Camagüeyano, a traditional festival that started in the 18th century, have transcended until our days.

Camagüey City, the capital of the province, treasures one of the most important historical centers in the country, recently declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO; and is one of the Cuban cities that better preserve the Hispano-Arabic features regarding urbanism and architecture. Its several churches have significant examples of the art and religious-funeral customs of colonial times.

Santa Lucía Beach, located in the northern coast of the easterncentral part of Cuba, is the main tourist destination in Camagüey province. It has some 21km of warm transparent water, fine white sand and a well preserved environment that serves as habitat to important pink flamingos' colonies. It faces the Old Channel of Bahamas, surrounded to the east by Las Tunas province; to the west by the Jardines del Rey archipelago and to the south by the flat lands of Camagüey. The coral formations, located just 2km off the coast, display a surprising biodiversity that invite to contemplate the undersea beauties. There are 35 diving points at Santa Lucía Beach that allow divers meeting with the remains of sunken ships from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as enjoying a curious show in which experienced guides feed with their bare hands friendly sharks near the Nuevitas Bay.

Reviews

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

ExcellentMadeline

Very Very Good
This world-class resort is off the southern coasts of Ciego de Avila and Camagüey Provinces. It has an impressive seabed and scuba-diving areas that extend for around 43 miles (70 kilometres) and contain many coral formations. Large fish, Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and other marine turtles live in the deeper areas. Here, too, you can treat yourself to a real adventure and go scuba diving with sharks.

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

Averagecorman_11

“Excellent snorkelling off the beach area! ”
It is what it is! O.K.! JA! JE! JO! Very nice snorkelling just off the beach area! O.K. and lot's of fun!

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

AverageHeinz H

“The Santa Lucia way of diving... ”
We spent three days of scuba diving at the Shark's Friends Diving Center in Sta. Lucia. The center is fully equipped but the equipment is currently in a poor state. The diving suite I wore had more holes than Swiss cheese but fortunately one does not really need one since the water is pretty warm. We had our own stuff... More

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

AverageDragon-Barrie

“Cuba is Unsafe for Tourists ”
I stayed in Brisas, Santa Lucia last 2 weeks and went out of the resort to the local disco at night. At the disco, I was harassed by a fat cuban guy and when I pointed him out to the policemen, he attempted to attacked me in front of the 4 policemen. The 4 policemen did nothing! For your safety,... More

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

Very goodBRUCE R

“Brisas Santa Lucia ”
I returned in early September for 2 weeks of diving. The resort is undergoing major renovations. Bldgs 5 and 6 were closed, and various other units were being serviced. In May of 2015 it is expected that the entire resort will be closed for several months for a complete overhaul. The weather was hot and humid. The mosquitoes were a... More

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

Very goodlovetowineanddine

“The highlight of my trip ”
Learning how to dive here was the highlight of my trip. Lazaro was an excellent instructor, very likeable and knowledgeable. He was also very attentive. He never let anyone out of his sight the entire time, checking up on his students constantly to make sure everything was ok. The wetsuits are in poor condition, that's true, but the water is... More

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

Very goodZuzana B

“Nice dive but sharks did not show up ”
Was there with a bunch of angry Russians, since they spent whole week trying every day to see the sharks. They did not show up that week. Otherwise the dive site is very nice and worth a dive in Cuba. There are shipwrecks, nice underwater fauna and flora. When we returned to the surface, we had to wait like 15... More

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

ExcellentJerome D

“Great dives, great gear ”
I was there to dive, and my girlfriend to learn how to. We both had a great time thanks to the friendly and passionate staff. The spots are terrific!

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

ExcellentTibor03

“Diving with sharks in St Lucia ”
Thank you Yordi and Lazaro for your help and support for making my dream come true. I had 2 dives during my stay @ Las Brisas (Sep23-Oct7). The first one was 18 m (60ft) on a coral reef, and the second one 25m (80ft) with the sharks. Both were amazing, but the one with the Bull Sharks is unforgettable. Being... More

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

ExcellentMichel C

“Affordable dives, new gear. ”
Although the white sandy beaches are cleaned almost every morning, the shore gets quickly covered with algae, that is not a concern for most people. There is a dive shop just 10 minutes walk southbound on the beach called Shark's Friends. Although prices are same if you bring your own gear or not, you may consider bringing at least your... More

Review about Scuba Diving Site and Center: Sharks Friends

ExcellentOgravy

“First time Scuba Diving ”
Absolutely loved it, learned in a pool by an instructor with this place and then went into the ocean for an hour. Cannot wait to do this again.